Hiking in Auckland, New Zealand (photo's)

Monday, March 18, 2013

It is raining today (Tuesday 19 th) and I am really so glad. It is hard to see the land so brown and dry. As far as I am concerned it can rain for the next two weeks.

Mr. Roelf and I had a really great walk in the Waitakare Ranges. This is the circle route marked in a white doted line that is where we have been walking.

It was very up and down and very, very steep uphill back to the car. We enjoyed every moment. No matter how hard I exercise… the moment I do something different I notice it with muscles crying out: “have mercy”!

Here are some photos from our walk, we hope you will enjoy it with us:

It does not matter where we walk there are always palm trees and I am still surprised by that.

This little plant stole my heart; it is so tenacious to grow in big sand dunes. Look how dry the grasses are but this little plant is every where in tiny clusters and very green.

Also the sand of the West Coast on the beaches is looking black but a close up reveals all colours in the sand.

The sand is almost looking like velvet.

The hardest part was getting over this sand dune. In the photo it is not looking that high but it turned my legs into jelly.

After I have broken a rib while out walking I am very careful where I put my feet. The upside of that is that I notice all the little plants, grasses etc, as I walk.

I have no idea what type of vine this is, all I noticed was the lovely colours in the green field.

The sky was very overcast and we had some light drizzle but at other times the sun were making light streaks in my photos. I don’t claim expert quality of the photos, I just want you to see thought my eyes.

Out of focus but still very pretty.

These yellow daisies are everywhere… and so are these

I am always amazed at the variety of grasses to be found on earth.

These are growing between the mountains where there are wetlands. It is almost surreal walking through it as it is much taller than Mr. Roelf.

This photo is not to show of my pedicure, it is showing how we had to wade through calf deep streams and it was so refreshing! I enjoyed that.

Lunch time: Chicken drumstick and salad, 1 bread roll (looking deceptively big but is not) and a container 1/3 of fresh pomegranate, 1/3 yogurt and 1/3 of my home made muesli/granola with no sugar and no oil. The only drinks we take are water. Just clean tap water.

We had lunch on the banks of this river. It is a great place to stop and rest before the torturous uphill walk to get back to the car.

The happy and very tired couple, grateful for another adventure together.

Thank you for stopping by. May light, grace and hope be part of your day.

CRYSTALJEM
Beautiful walk. I can't wait until the snow is gone here and I can begin to enjoy the sprouting grasses and flowers. I feel like I may never see spring again it seems to be taking forever here. 1355 days ago

BERRY4
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend time together--hard work and all. Glad you have been able to have the energy to get out and enjoy nature with the plants and variety of landscapes!1355 days ago

LORI-K
Stunning photos! So glad you are enjoying a lovely trip. I have been there...same areas as you, and the memories have flooded back. Such amazing beauty there.I am not certain your plans, but if you can make it to the coastal area of Ragland, you will love it! And beautiful waterfalls on the way...We drove back to Auckland the back way from Ragland; rolling hills, green pastures, mountains, so breathtaking.

LUCYLU22
Maggie May, I SO wish that I could have been right there with you and Mr. Roelf walking on your hike, and yet I was there with you in spirit "looking through your eyes", walking through your hike with you by looking at your very beautiful pictures that you shared here! Thank you for bringing me along!

THEMRSH Gorgeous blog Maggie. I loved taking a walk through your eyes. Your photos are beautiful, your lunch looks so scrumptious I could taste it and the last picture left me with a BIG smile!1361 days ago

MEADSBAY
Very nice- thank you for sharing your super healthy hike and the photos of some different plants and views. Even the black sand is out of my realm of experience.I'm so glad that you and Mr Roelf are committed to doing healthy activities together.I did get my dear man out walking a few times every day this past week during our little getaway to Florida.1361 days ago

ROSINVN
great walk, great photos, oh how I am longing to get back in the bush! I have a walk planned in the Orongoras Easter weekend and I am looking forward to that. It will be an overnight one. I am longing to feast my eyes on green 1361 days ago